In recent decades, an increasing number of neuroimaging studies utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have explored the differential effects of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) on brain structure and function. We systematically reviewed and integrated the findings from relevant neuroimaging studies in PHN patients. A total of 15 studies with 16 datasets were ultimately included in the present study, which were categorized by the different neuroimaging modalities. The results revealed that PHN was closely associated with structural/microstructural and functional abnormalities of the brain mainly located in the ‘pain matrix’, including the thalamus, insula, parahippocampus, amygdala, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, precentral gyrus and inferior parietal lobe, as well as other regions, such as the precuneus, lentiform nucleus and brainstem. Furthermore, a disruption of multiple networks, including the default-mode network, salience network and limbic system, may contribute to the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying PHN. The findings indicate that the cerebral abnormalities of PHN were not restricted to the pain matrix but extended to other regions, profoundly affecting the regulation and moderation of pain processing in PHN. Future prospective and longitudinal neuroimaging studies with larger samples will elucidate the progressive trajectory of neural changes in the pathophysiological process of PHN.

近几十年来，越来越多的利用磁共振成像 (MRI) 的神经影像学研究探索了带状疱疹后神经痛 (PHN) 对大脑结构和功能的不同影响。我们系统地回顾和整合了 PHN 患者相关神经影像学研究的结果。本研究最终纳入了 15 项研究和 16 个数据集，这些研究按不同的神经影像学方式分类。结果表明，PHN与主要位于“疼痛基质”的大脑结构/微观结构和功能异常密切相关，包括丘脑、岛叶、海马旁、杏仁核、背外侧前额叶皮层、中央前回和顶下叶，以及其他区域，如楔前叶、豆状核和脑干。此外，包括默认模式网络、显着网络和边缘系统在内的多个网络的中断可能有助于 PHN 的神经生理机制。研究结果表明，PHN的脑异常并不局限于疼痛基质，而是扩展到其他区域，深刻影响PHN疼痛处理的调节和调节。未来更大样本的前瞻性和纵向神经影像学研究将阐明 PHN 病理生理过程中神经变化的进展轨迹。研究结果表明，PHN的脑异常并不局限于疼痛基质，而是扩展到其他区域，深刻影响PHN疼痛处理的调节和调节。未来更大样本的前瞻性和纵向神经影像学研究将阐明 PHN 病理生理过程中神经变化的进展轨迹。研究结果表明，PHN的脑异常并不局限于疼痛基质，而是扩展到其他区域，深刻影响PHN疼痛处理的调节和调节。未来更大样本的前瞻性和纵向神经影像学研究将阐明 PHN 病理生理过程中神经变化的进展轨迹。